I'm a complete beginner winter sowing gardener and am trying the ziploc baggies too, although I am using little peat pots and the tops of plastic totes.

You can see mine at http://www.mythreegardens.com

I love your set-up though! Maybe I'll try it next year if this one doesn't work out.

Thanks!
Jeannie

Anybody remember the "stand up" ziplok bags? I wish they would bring them back..not for chili, but for w/s! I remember using them years ago to start ivy cuttings, and they were fantastic!

I use zip locks with old nursery pots, but that's a neat idea with the card board. ;) Will have to remember that.

Now I need an idea to create more potting mix/soil. I am out and broke and have lots of sowing to do...

I like the cardboard idea. That would give the bags more stability.

Karen

Thank you for an excellent idea!

I like it very much and will try it, when I run out of styrofoam cups (which have so far been my favourite containers for WS).

Another of your terrific ideas, monte. Thank you so very much.
jeankeeter, I think you might have trouble later with your setup. There doesn't seem to be emough soil in them. Is it at least 3" deep?

IMO this is a excellent idea when someone doesn't have any type of recycled container available. The cardboard is recycled, but not the Ziplocs. They will need to be bought, and they cost a lot more money per unit than the tiny ziploc baggies people use for seeds.

One of things I really like about winter-sowing is that it is so compatible with the 3 R's of green living - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Having to buy anything at the store does not go along with the 3 R's. (Of course some things do need to be bought sometimes.)

That is a nice design, Monte. Us old-timers remember it from the old post. Folks have tried to resurrect that thread but I think it died of old age and went to gardenweb heaven. Good that you re-posted it.

Karen

Yep, the peat pots are 4" tall and they are all filled with 3" worth of potting soil. Should work out just fine I hope!

Couldn't you recycle the ziplocs from year to year? Monte, are your ziplocs in good enough shape at the end of the season to save for next year? If so, then it would make the green folks very happy!

When baggies get too worn after many washings to reuse for food storage, they get moved to my winter sowing materials for more use. I have recycled my winter sowing ziplocs and other baggies for several years. They are the easiest container to store.

I think the cardboard to give more stability is a great idea. Glad you reposted this technique, Monte. I had copied the previous posting along with your other ws container ideas a few years ago and keep it stored on my computer since I can't always find an old posting when I want it.

I use baggies to cover pots since I have lots and lots of pots which have been collected from friends and family.

Why can't we use the shopping bags from the stores? Most are white or light colored. You can see your hands and even read through them. Milk jugs are opaque, green bottles are ok. Why not the plastic bags? This is something I've been pondering for a while. I'm planning to do more WS this weekend and I'm going to at least try it on some of my containers. The plastic coffee cans will be a good candidate. I'll fill one and put it in one of the bags and then figure out how to close it so it will stay put and the vent holes will be on top. Maybe just tie them on the side. Hmmm! I'll make sure to punch holes in the bottom for drainage. Do you think this will work. I love to recycle and I use the bags for a lot of things. I get so many.
Connie JW

You can use store shopping bags, though keep in mind that many are made to break down in sunshine over time. If you can see through them then they will allow enough light.

I have used the bags from the stores that are heavier, such as the large bags that tp comes in from Costco. It is heavy and one side has no printing and is just the right size for one of my large plastic containers.

Our grocery stores recycle bags so I go through all my plastic bags saving the heavier ones for various uses and recycle the rest. Many shopping bags are very thin and tear easily. They get recycled. Target has great bags for reuse as they are a bit thicker. But they are opaque, not good for winter sowing. I like to keep them for moving divided plants. There is a bit of aha! moment when I find a completely clear strong bag.

I've been thinking that an overturned bread, bun, or cereal bag could probably easily be slipped over so many pot like things (if they weren't exactly pots). There wouldn't be any problems with drainage that way. Maybe hold them on, if need be, with a rubberband or tuck them underneath the pot/container on one side?

Just thinking out loud here.

Anybody remember the "stand up" ziplok bags? I wish they would bring them back

.....they're available at Wallmart: "Ziplog Easy Zipper bags w/Expandable Bottom" $2.97 for 28 bags (gallon size, multi-purpose grade). These are not the heavier freezer grade.

When baggies get too worn after many washings to reuse for food storage, they get moved to my winter sowing materials for more use.

Excellent idea!

Monte and others, thanks for the many excellent ideas in this thread.
GW, please let the pics stay in the thread forever.....